Contents

It is important to note that relatively few absolute dates have been given throughout the StarCraft series, events often being portrayed as being relative to other events as opposed to having a definite point of occurrence. However, of the dates that have been given, it is possible to construct a timeline of the universe, using these dates as focal points. In addition, large timeframes of a thousand years or more had been rounded up/down to approximate dates.

According to ancient protoss texts, the xel'naga, an extra-galactic race obsessed with the seeding of life, arrived in the Milky Way galaxy tens of millions of years ago, establishing their domain and seeding life on various worlds.[4] They never interfered with their creations, and subtly pushed them to come to them when they are ready to succeed them as xel'naga. This was known as the Infinite Cycle.[5]

The following section contains timeline information which isn't necessarily in chronological order.

The xel'naga discover/create the Argus Stone, holding it in high regard for its immense power. Their scholars meanwhile indirectly predict the events of the Great War.[6]

The xel'naga discover an evil entity which had consumed entire civilizations. The xel'naga defeated it, and instead of destroying it, they imprison it within a barren planet orbiting the dead star KL-2 using the power of the Void.[7]

A xel'naga named Amon, frustrated with being forced to ascend,[8] gathers followers to end the Infinite Cycle. While his brethren slept within the Void and Ulnar, he sought to create his own army of creatures pure of essence and form and break the cycle.[9]

Frustrated with their failure to find or create a species with distinct purity of form, Amon's xel'naga turn their attention to Aiur. Pleased with the progress of its dominant species, the xel'naga name them the protoss ("Firstborn") and commence observation which lasts hundreds of protoss generations.[4]

Eventually, frustrated at the slow rate of protoss evolution,[4]Amon and his followers[9] subtly guide their development for a millennium, leading them to the state of total sentience and awareness. Delighted, the xel'naga make themselves known to their creations.[4]

Protoss civilization spreads across Aiur within a few thousand years. However, as more emphasis is placed on individual achievement than communal advancement, the protoss begin to revert to tribalism. Distrust of the xel'naga begins to brew, and the protoss begin to lose their innate psionic link.[4]

Amon's xel'naga depart from Aiur, disappointed with the protoss[4] although they had transformed the protoss into what they needed.[10] As the xel'naga leave, protoss attack their worldships but fail to stop them. Many hundreds of xel'naga were killed. Disheartened at their departure, the protoss tribes turn on each other, each blaming their counterparts for their mentors’ departure. Thus begins the Aeon of Strife.[4] Amon took a number of devout protoss with him, separating them from their kind. These became known as the Tal'darim.[9]

Amon and his followers head for the planet Zerus.[9] Seeking to create an individual with a distinct purity of essence, they begin developing the race of miniature insectoids known as the zerg. Attempting to waylay the potential hazards of competing egos, they create the Overmind -- a collected zerg sentience.[4]

During this time, the protoss maintained colonies on other planets, often connected by warp gates, but these too quickly became gripped with the Strife.[11]

The protoss tribes descended into something resembling madness as they attacked one another. One example was the Mendella Incident, where the mainly underground settlement of Mendella was flooded when another protoss faction deliberately destroyed a nearby reservoir.[12]

Khas demonstrated the powers of the khaydarin crystals at Gyras, where he ended the feuding by destroying the battleground.[14]

Feeling an absence within the Void itself, the xel'naga are disturbed from their slumber. They discovering Amon and his followers at Zerus and a war erupts among the xel'naga. Amon unleashes the zerg. In the final confrontation, Amon is felled and thrust back into the Void.[9]

Meanwhile, secret information about the Aeon of Strife was stored on the xel'naga shrine world of Zhakul, watched over by a trio of immortal preservers.[16]

The protoss began to proudly explore space, settling on worlds such as Khyrador.[17] Some of this exploration took place under the guidance of ExecutorAdun. This expansion sometimes brought the protoss into conflict with aliens.[4][15]

The protoss begin the Golden Age of Expansion,[19] eventually claiming one eighth of the worlds previously claimed by the xel'naga. They put these worlds under the Dae'Uhl.[4]

During an exploration mission, two motherships are destroyed by a chance failure in their khaydarin crystal cores, and they fell into a neutron star. In response to this, the Grand Preservers, unified by Rohana, begin construction of the arkships as a contingency against random chance destroying the protoss. However, their studies concluded that the arkships were built too early and would be wasted in a last stand instead of used as a safety measure. The Conclave agreed that the arkships should be buried, and the three that were produced were buried beneath Aiur with the Grand Preservers and a contingent of warriors in each one.[20]

In 1500,[1] the Conclave, led by Kortanul, orders Adun to capture and execute a group of heretics known as the Dark Templar. Adun secretly teaches the rogues to hide from the Conclave instead, but this backfires as storms erupt over Aiur.[15] The Khalis crystal was stolen by the retreating Rogues.[23] The Conclave banishes the rogues from Aiur, and in his final attempt to protect them, Adun loses his life.[15]

Shortly afterward, the Dark Templar discover the moon of Ehlna, which has a warp gate created by the xel'naga as well as a unique combination of energies which modify the khaydarin crystals found there into memory storage devices. Without preservers, the Dark Templar desired these, so they constructed a shrine, the Alys'aril there. Centuries later, the protoss moved on, but left a number of alysaar there so Dark Templar could return and have their memories stored.[10]

The following section contains timeline information which isn't necessarily in chronological order.

One young alysaar, Ulrezaj, accessed forbidden knowledge at the Alys'aril, which he hoped to use to defeat the protoss of Aiur. He was discovered by his superiors and left, raging against those who exiled his kind.[10]

The Dark Templar eventually discover Shakuras, a world which the xel'naga had visited. In addition to a warp gate, it features a xel'naga temple. The Dark Templar settle there.[24]

Doran Routhe conducts an experiment involving 40,000 prisoners, whom he loads onto four supercarriers bound for the outlying world of Gantris VI. The lead supercarrier, the Nagglfar, carries the AIATLAS.[4] The journey was botched however. One year later, the ships passed by Gantris VI without stopping.[23]

2259:[1] The ships arrive in the Koprulu Sector, stranding the passengers on three colonies, Tarsonis, Umoja and Moria.[4] The commanders of the Nagglfar become the Old Families of Tarsonis.[25] The protoss observe their arrival. Shocked by the terran's strip mining of natural resources, they nonetheless refuse to interfere.[4]

Disputed Date:[note 2] Economic and military friction between the colonists of Moria and the Confederacy prompt the former to create a military organization, the Kel-Morian Combine, to oppose the Confederacy's attempted economic domination.[4] The two organizations clash frequently as the Confederacy repeatedly steals Kel-Morian mining claims.[26]

Battle of Fort Howe: Lt. Col. Javier Vanderspool of the Terran Confederacy and Overseer Aaron Pax of the Kel-Morian Combine enact a plan to "raid" Fort Howe for valuable Confederate treasure, then split the proceeds. However, Overseer Scaggs and Foreman Oleg Benson interfere with the plan, enacting an actual raid on Fort Howe. Confusing matters even further, Sergeant Tychus Findlay and Lance Corporal Jim Raynor help defeat Benson's troops, then steal the trucks and split the loot for themselves. For this "victory" Vanderspool is promoted to full colonel.[29]

As the platoon trains, Raynor volunteers to infiltrate the internment camp and warn the POWs of the coming rescue attempt so they could organize themselves. Once inside, he warns the POW but is discovered and tortured by Overseer Brucker. Raynor manages to fool him into thinking the attack won't be coming for two weeks. However, neither he nor fellow prisoner Cole Hickson tell him anything about neural resocialization.

At Korsy, the plan goes awry due to Pax's double-cross. The Confederates lose the treasure. Vanderspool's attempts to kill Findlay's men fail, and they flee. A three-sided battle erupts between Vanderspool, Findlay and Pax's men.

Findlay's men are mostly killed through various means. Vanderspool is captured by Pax. Findlay's men kill both groups. Jim Raynor and Tychus Findlay go AWOL.[29]

2489 - the Guild Wars come to an end with a Confederate victory.[1][26]

2489 - Angus Mengsk declares the independence of Korhal; the Confederacy responds by declaring a state of emergency. Arcturus Mengsk travels to Umoja due to a "family emergency"; he becomes aware of the existence of his own son, Valerian.[26] The Confederacy dispatches ghosts to assassinate Angus Mengsk.[4]

As a response to the Guild Wars[4] and the assassination of Angus Mengsk, the Umojans form their own military body, the Umojan Protectorate. Arcturus Mengsk takes command of the Rebellion of Korhal, seeking revenge for the murder of his family. He also sends Valerian to a haven to keep him safe from Confederate reprisal.[26]

The capital of Los Andares is attacked by the zerg.[34]Los Andares Prison falls under attack. The Confederacy rescues the guards but abandons the prisoners. It takes the Confederacy three days to reclaim the site.[35]Edmund Duke personally leads the Confederates to victory against the zerg.[34]

The Confederates defeat the primary hive clusters on Chau Sara, then lock the planet down.[36] The planet is later overrun by the zerg.[4]

The Trump Card: The Confederacy imposes a blockade on Antiga Prime. Mengsk responds by sending Sarah Kerrigan into a Confederate base with a psi emitter, causing the zerg to fall upon the Confederate forces. The Sons of Korhal make their escape.[41]

Battle of New Gettysburg: Mengsk orders Kerrigan to defend the central zerg hive cluster from the protoss attackers. Kerrigan was unhappy with the orders but complies with the request. After the protoss were defeated, the zerg overwhelmed her position.[54]

Raynor tries and fails to rescue Kerrigan.[55][56] He does rescue numerous people from several factions, however.[41]

The Sons of Korhal rescue a number of people from Osborne Port, Tarsonis's sole functioning spaceport.[25] Mengsk ensures he rescues important people such as UNN editor-in-chief Handy Anderson.[41]

The Dominion evacuates refugees to Ursa and establishes the new Ghost Academy there.[25] The Dominion converts former Confederate worlds to their cause by threatening to deny military aid to any world which doesn't join them.[61] Eventually the Dominion unites the terrans underneath it.[45]

Kerrigan, slowly being transformed by the zerg into an infested terran, psychically calls Raynor and Mengsk.[64] The calls also draw the attention of Tassadar and Dark PrelateZeratul. When ordered to return to Aiur, Tassadar refuses, preferring to follow the call.[65]

Kerrigan's forces steal Alpha Squadron and Raiders transport craft, using them to stealthily board the terran starships in orbit over Char. The Hyperion is forced to flee, stranding the Raiders on the planet. Kerrigan invades the Amerigo, a Dominion science vessel, in order to recover its old Ghost Program files so she can break her ghost conditioning. A protoss force under Tassadar arrives, destroying remaining infested vessels which don't jump into warp space quickly enough.[59]

Into the Flames: Tassadar, having finalized his alliance with Zeratul, offers advice to the protoss defenders–destroy the zerg cerebrates. Aldaris is skeptical, but Fenix follows the advice.[75] However, without the power of the Dark Templar, the cerebrate is quickly reincarnated.[76]

An emergency signal from Aiur, caused by the zerg invasion, activated the Moratun, a mothership commanded by their inventor, Juras. Having been asleep for a very long time, he was unaware of the Great War or even the zerg.

He traveled to Samiku, rescuing Martul and other zealots, but wished to avoid fighting the zerg, which he saw as a sentient species.

The Moratun traveled to Aiur after the evacuation, where Juras became aware of the true horror of the zerg. With little information about the location of the protoss evacuees, Juras took the fleet of motherships in search of the protoss.[22]

Escape from Aiur: Artanis, Aldaris and Zeratul plan the evacuation of Aiur through a warp gate. They would travel to Shakuras in order to escape the zerg. Fenix and Raynor defend the Aiur side of the gate.[97]

Dunes of Shakuras: Some zerg were able to follow the protoss to Shakuras, where the refugees would establish a settlement, New Antioch.[98] Raynor and Fenix were able to regain control of their side of the gate to apprise Artanis of their situation. He promised them as many warriors as he could spare.[99]

Stranded on Aiur: Three days after the evacuation commenced, Jim Raynor, Fenix and Ladranix shut down the gate. Raynor deliberately damaged it with his rifle to prevent it from reactivating. The protoss left on Aiur scattered into several groups.[15]

Legacy of the Xel'Naga: The protoss refugees struck an alliance with Raszagal, not knowing she was already under the control of Kerrigan. Raszagal told them of a powerful weapon, the xel'naga temple of Shakuras, which could be used to scour the zerg from Shakuras. However, the temple could only be activated by the two lost crystals, Uraj and Khalis, and Raszagal called for the destruction of the two cerebrates around the temple. The protoss attack was a success.[24]

Kerrigan made a surprise appearance,[24] striking an alliance with the protoss as well. She was trying to avoid domination by the second Overmind on Char. The protoss commanders reluctantly accepted her aid except for Aldaris, who left the meeting.[100]

Aldaris' Revolt: Aldaris discerned Kerrigan's control of Raszagal and raised a legion to fight her forces. The Fleet of the Matriarch arrived during the insurgency. Raszagal demanded the insurgents be defeated.[103] The Matriarch's partisans defeated Aldaris' forces, but he refused to surrender,[104] instead partially revealing Kerrigan's machinations. He was cut off by Kerrigan's forces. She gloated that she had used the protoss to fight her enemies for her.[105] The protoss attack on the zerg on Shakuras, while necessary for their survival, would only further Kerrigan's aims.[106]

UED Skirmish on Tarsonis: A team sent to Tarsonis discovered the psi disrupter. Duran cautioned DuGalle that the weapon was too dangerous, since it could fall into Dominion hands, while Stukov vehemently insisted the UED capture the weapon. DuGalle agreed with Duran,[114] and sent him with a small team to fight the zerg hive clusters surrounding it. Duran's forces achieved success, but he had to hand the destruction of the Disrupter to ghosts who claimed they would handle it.[113]

Raid on Aiur: The UED force travels to Aiur, hoping to catch the fugitives. While a captain dealt with the fugitives, Duran and Stukov were entrusted with keeping the zerg away from the operation. The fugitives hide near a warp gate, which attracts the attention of nearby zerg, driving them into a frenzy. The captain's forces destroy Raynor's hideout, prompting them to flee towards the warp gate. As they do so, Duran moves his forces out of position, enabling a massive wave of zerg to interfere with the UED's attack. Mengsk and Raynor escape. Stukov leaves to take care of personal business.[117]

First Raid on the Psi Disrupter: Stukov reconstructs the psi disrupter on Braxis. DuGalle is shocked. Duran is able to convince DuGalle that Stukov was sabotaging their mission. DuGalle orders Duran to deal with the problem.[118] Duran leads a infantry team into the Disrupter, finding and shooting Stukov, then vanishes. Stukov contacts DuGalle and gives him his final words, warning him that Duran is a traitor and possibly infested as well.[119] Meanwhile, Duran set the Disrupter's power core to explode and numerous zerg minions invaded the structure. DuGalle orders the troops to find save the Disrupter. They were successful. The Disrupter was left on Braxis with a garrison to protect it.[120]

The UED fleet over Char

The Capture of the Overmind: With the power of a fully functional Disrupter behind him, DuGalle's forces attacked Char, defeating and capturing the forces of the Overmind. Kerrigan and Duran pay him a visit. Kerrigan tells DuGalle she intends to take control of the zerg back from him.[121]

Tarsonis Zerg Revolt: Kerrigan and Duran invite their new allies, Raynor and Fenix, to the primary hive cluster on Tarsonis. Kerrigan is interrupted by losing control of some of her zerg minions, due to the effects of the psi disrupter. She uses her troops, including Hunter Killers, to regain control of her hives.[123]

The Liberation of Korhal: Kerrigan's zerg, Raynor's Raiders and Fenix's forces launch a combined assault on the UED at Korhal, with Kerrigan's forces leading the way. The UED is unable to effectively counterattack with its own zerg minions and is defeated.[126]

Betrayal on Korhal: Kerrigan and Duran engineer a double cross against their allies, attacking their bases as they rest after the previous battle. Duke and Fenix are both killed,[127] leading Raynor to vow revenge on Kerrigan.[128] The zerg forces leave without finishing off their opponents, as Kerrigan said she was tired of the slaughter.[129]

Second UED Raid on Tarsonis: The UED launches a counterattack against Kerrigan's primary hive cluster on Tarsonis. They use "scientists" to coordinate their zerg minions.[130] Kerrigan is caught off-guard but manages to prevail by slaying all the scientists.[131]

Destruction of Talematros: Kerrigan brings her forces to Shakuras. She tells Duran to kidnap Raszagal without informing him of her reasons. Raszagal was located at Talematros, which was heavily defended by special pylon clusters which prevented zerg flyers from maneuvering. Duran destroys the city and the zerg make off with Raszagal in the confusion.[132]

Destruction of the Overmind: Zeratul and other protoss forces follow Raszagal to Char. Kerrigan offers Zeratul a deal; slay the Overmind for her, and she will allow Raszagal to return. Raszagal herself convinces Zeratul to join Kerrigan against their common enemy.[133] The UED/zerg force is defeated by Kerrigan and the Dark Templar, and the Overmind slain.[134] Its cerebrates are killed as well[135] by the Dark Templar which had been manipulated by Kerrigan.[136] Raszagal, now obviously being mentally influenced by Kerrigan, refuses to return,[137] so Zeratul abducts her and flees.

Raszagal's death

The Reckoning: Zeratul hides Raszagal in a stasis cell as Kerrigan brings her forces to the surface of Char in order to find her. The zerg defeat the protoss,[138] prompting Zeratul to slay Raszagal.[139] An amused Kerrigan allows him to escape alive.

Battle of Char Aleph: Kerrigan was left in a weak position, as most of her forces were still on the surface of Char. Duran had disappeared as well. She was greeted by the commanders of three fleets[141]—Mengsk, who brought a collection of special interest groups as he was now too weak to use his own forces,[142] Artanis, and DuGalle. Kerrigan defeats all three forces,[141] prompting DuGalle to retreat. Kerrigan said she'd see how far he'd get before she killed him and all his men.[143] DuGalle commits suicide[144] as the zerg catch up to his fleet.[145]

As diplomatic relations between the Terran Dominion and the Umojan Protectorate break down, former Dominion senator Corbin Phash takes shelter in the Protectorate. His son Colin was forcibly inducted into the Ghost Academy. The Dominion dispatches a ghost to assassinate Corbin Phash, but fails.[1]

2501:[1] The Terran Dominion adds team-based training concepts to the Ghost Academy. One team, Team Blue, consisted of leader Gabriel Tosh and "star" recruit Nova Terra. The son of Finance Minister Aldeo Cistler, Aal, is introduced to the Academy, but is quickly thrown out after making another trainee, Lio Travski, sick with a drug overdose.[154] Aal Cistler exposes the Academy's amoral practices. With the backing of senators, he was readmitted to the Academy. Two teams (including Team Blue and Cistler) were combined and sent on an advanced training mission to The Baker's Dozen, the location of a quartet of Old Family survivors.[153]

Battle of Shi: The team rescued the heirs, but lost the commanders of their battlecruiser. Gabriel Tosh was severely injured. Afterward, the team (other than Tosh) were memory wiped and the heirs secretly executed.[155]

2502: A month before the anniversary of the Terran Dominion, A Dominion marine force traveling to Candore takes an embedded news reporter, Kate Lockwell, with them. They wipe out civilians allied with the Knights of Freedom rebel movement there, which Lockwell discovers. The Dominion marines tried to kill her to eliminate the story, but are themselves killed by the Knights of Freedom. Lockwell gives one copy of the footage to rebel reporter Michael Liberty but keeps the other copy. She later gives a heavily pro-Dominion report on the massacre, blaming it on rebels. Liberty plans to reveal the proper footage on the upcoming anniversary.[157]

Artanis decides to accept the role of Hierarch of the Daelaam after much deliberation, calming tensions between the protoss tribes.[158]

Jim Raynor networked and struck alliances with anti-Dominion groups. He meets with the Kel-Morian Combine leadership at Moria. He doesn't stay long, however. The Combine would value the alliance and would cover for him after he left.[148]

Three months after Jim Raynor left Moria, the War Pigs arrive, asking questions. The Kel-Morian Combine attacks them. After their escape, Cerberus Program troops led by Lars Trakken, assigned to follow the War Pigs, ask the same questions in a more "aggressive" manner, resulting in the deaths of Kel-Morian personnel.[148] The War Pigs had picked up a xel'naga artifact while unknowingly being pursued by Cerberus forces. Hunting for Jim Raynor, the Pigs learned that their target was taking shelter on zerg-infested worlds. A team of Dark Templar friendly to Raynor encountered the War Pigs, took the xel'naga artifact and warned the War Pigs not to harm Raynor.[159]

Raynor's Raiders hid in an underwater cave on the zerg-infested Urona Sigma.[160] The protoss believed the fight against the zerg there was hopeless, so the Dark Templar trio which had picked up the xel'naga artifact from the War Pigs arrived there to warn him about an impending purification operation[161] as well as the attack by the War Pigs.[160]

October 25, Battle of Urona Sigma:[35] The arrival of the War Pigs stalled the Raiders' departure. The lead War Pig, Cole Hickson, was an old friend of Raynor, who trusted him, but Hickson had been modified by neural resocialization to assassinate Raynor on the orders of Tamsen Cauley.[160] Hickson's first attempt failed due to the zerg discovering the Raiders' hideout, but this enabled him to escape, and separated Raynor from his dropships. Simultaneous attacks by Cerberus Program forces led by Lars Trakken cut the War Pigs off from their own transport vessel. Raynor managed to subdue Hickson when the latter tried to kill him again, but Raynor and the War Pigs found themselves stranded on Urona Sigma as the purification operation began.[161] The beams struck near them. However, Lars Trakken was unable to overcome his rage at Hickson and descended in a dropship with a squad of Cerberus troops. Raynor and the War Pigs fooled and defeated them, stealing the dropship and escaping, but at the cost of one of the War Pigs. The protoss, meanwhile, had only conducted a partial purification of Urona Sigma.[35]

A group of protoss scientists experiment with a virus which could destroy the creep and with it the entire zerg race. However, the experiment goes awry, tainting the Khala and creating an infested protoss. The group, which cut itself off from the rest of the protoss, is wiped out, but the frozen experiment is left behind...[164]

Ramsey ends up far from Shakuras, which had sealed its gate to keep the zerg out. He and Zamara locate Zeratul and convince him to help separate them. They also discuss a number of secrets, including the life cycle of the xel'naga and the creation of the hybrids. Zeratul brings them to a shrine on Ehlna, a Nerazim sanctuary where Ramsey's life could be saved, while he traveled to Pegasus, observing an energy creature hatching from a fresh temple and following it to a wormhole with a mysterious planet at the end.[10]

Battle of Ehlna: Meanwhile, Rosemary Dahl and a protoss force led by Selendis arrived at the shrine, while forces under the command of Ethan Stewart, Valerian Mengsk, Selendis and the dark archon converged on the site and fought over Ramsey. Zamara was successfully removed, only to immediately seal Ulrezaj into her crystal. Stewart was killed in combat, and the Dominion achieved victory. Valerian Mengsk was able to protect Ramsey from his father and also kept some knowledge from the shrine he had acquired before the protoss came back in force and drove the Dominion away.[10]

Mengsk dispatches wranglerMalcolm Kelerchian to investigate her disappearance. He reaches the refinery, but it explodes. He is wounded and stuck in his ship.[170]

Nova Terra is attached to Nova Squadron, under Colonel Jackson Hauler, and they are dispatched to Altara to rescue the wrangler. The zerg reach the refinery site first. Terra and Nova Squadron defeat the zerg and rescue Kelerchian. During the battle, Terra is exposed to terrazine and begins to suffer from its effects. In addition, her powers increase.[170]

Terra, Kelerchian and a ghost, Talen Holt, investigate the area. In reality, Holt is a spectre, and attempts to redirect Terra.[170]

Project Shadowblade attacks Mengsk's Palace, attempting to capture Emperor Mengsk. Terra and a team of ghosts are rushed there. Nova Squadron and the special forces unit, the Annihilators, also assist. Terra and her ghosts are attacked by spectres led by Gabriel Tosh. Tosh tries to recruit Terra, but fails. The ghosts are either killed or kidnapped, but Terra survives and is able to protect Mengsk.[170]

Hauler captures Terra and Kelerchian, and has the latter transported to Gehenna Station. Hauler and Bennett are, in fact, the same person, and Bennett is a spectre. He orders her to capture Mengsk. She pretends to agree in order to save Kelerchian from execution.[170]

Some of Hauler's crew try to murder Terra, but this prompts Lio Travski to contact her and help her escape. Travski now aids her against Shadowblade, such as getting her to Gehenna Station and letting her communicate with the Annihilators. They plan to attack Gehenna Station.[170]

Aboard the station, Terra encounters Kath Toom, now a spectre, and defeats her. As she frees Kelerchian, General Bennett kills Toom and attempts to frame Terra for it. Terra and Bennett have their final clash in a room full of psionic waveform indoctrinators, which are filled with resocialized marines being transformed into spectres. During the battle, Bennett reveals he has killed Toom and framed Terra for the murder. He forces her into an indoctrinator. Travski reveals the deception to Tosh, who attacks Bennett. This battle enables Terra to escape and kill Bennett.[170]

Terra and Kelerchian escape. Tosh takes six indoctrinators and escapes on the Palatine. The Annihilators destroy Gehenna Station with nuclear weaponry.[170]

Colonel Nero, a revenge-obsessed reaper, escapes from prison to kill off the teammates who had betrayed him. He kills two of them, but when confronting the third one on Roxara, intending to kill him in front of his wife and child, clashes with a dark templar who had traveled there seeking an artifact.[175]

"I have pierced the veil of the future and beheld only... oblivion. Yet one spark of hope remains. You will hold her life in your hands...And though justice demands that she die for her crimes, only she can save us."

Zeratul discovers Ulaan, a dying xel'naga world, now infested by the zerg. He is confronted by Kerrigan. The two battle while exchanging views; both are injured. Zeratul escaped.[178] Zeratul discovers three xel'naga prophecies. He manages to escape to his ship, the Void Seeker.[179]

Zeratul traveled to Zhakul seeking a trio of preservers to interpret the prophecy. However, the Zhakul Guardians had been corrupted by Maar, a powerful hybrid. Maar was draining the energies of the preservers. Zeratul's forces were forced to confront and defeat the Zhakul Guardians. Maar himself was killed and the preservers freed. The preservers interpreted the prophecy, suggesting the Overmind may hold more answers.[16]

Zeratul at the Overmind's remains

Zeratul returned to Aiur and sought the site of the Overmind's death. There, he was able to access some of its memories. He also made contact with the self-proclaimed spirit of Tassadar, which claimed it wasn't dead, and gave him a vision of a possible future:[180] Kerrigan had been killed, leaving Amon and his hybrid minions to take control of the zerg. The hybrids and zerg would defeat the protoss on Shakuras, ensuring their extinction. Afterward the zerg would themselves be wiped out.[181]

The Second Great War extends from 2504 to 2505. Wings of Liberty and Flashpoint occur in the former year, while Heart of the Swarm takes place in the latter one.[184]

According to Egon Stetmann's research log, several missions in Wings of Liberty took place in early October.[185]

This timeline only takes into account missions which must be completed in order to win Wings of Liberty. Optional missions, even those which are regarded as A canon, are not included, as they can be completed at almost any time, making their place in the timeline unclear.

Zero Hour: Large numbers of zerg descended upon Mar Sara[191] and other planets.[192] Raynor's Raiders managed to escape.[193]

The Tal'darim against the Raiders on Monlyth

October 7, Smash and Grab:[185] Raynor's Raiders made a bid for a second alien artifact piece from Monlyth. The artifact was defended by the Tal'darim. The zerg were also there to contest the piece. Raynor's Raiders cut a path through Tal'darim defenses and collected the artifact before the zerg could get to it.[194]

The Dig: The Moebius Foundation tried but failed to acquire another artifact hidden within a heavily-defended xel'naga temple on Xil. Raynor's Raiders were called in to do the job. The temple was defended by the Tal'darim, which made an attempt to defend the artifact. However, the Raiders made off with the artifact.[195]

Zeratul meets Raynor aboard Hyperion.

Raynor was surprised by Zeratul aboard the Hyperion. He gave him an Ihan crystal which contained his memories of his search for the truth behind the xel'naga prophecies.[196]

The Moebius Factor: Kerrigan made another play for the artifacts. She personally led an invasion of Tyrador VIII, where the Moebius Foundation was based. Their own forces had managed to evacuate for the most part, but were unable to destroy their data cores which would reveal the locations of the rest of the artifacts. Raynor's Raiders were hired to destroy the data cores before Kerrigan could get to them. The Raiders were successful in this action.[197] However, this close call with Kerrigan caused Raynor to fall into a depression.[198]

The Tal'darim defending the artifact on Typhon XI

Supernova: The next artifact was located on Typhon XI. As the Hyperion neared the planet, the star it orbited began to fall into a supernova. Raynor's Raiders had to quickly descend, fight their way past Tal'darim and make off with the artifact before the planet was consumed. The Raiders once again stole an artifact from the Tal'darim.[199]

The Raiders, expecting to meet to meet with the Moebius Foundation, instead came across a Dominion fleet, led by its flagship, the Bucephalus. Raynor and Findlay invaded the Bucephalus, intending to kill Mengsk. Instead, Raynor found Crown Prince Valerian Mengsk, who offered to work with him in order to rescue Kerrigan from her infestation.[200]

Raynor's alliance with a portion of the Dominion was unpopular. It nearly sparked a mutiny led by Tychus Findlay and Kachinsky. Raynor defeated a drunken Findlay in a bar, then pointed out his revolution was about saving people. Making Kerrigan human again would accomplish that goal, even though it meant working with Valerian.[202]

The Char invasion

Battle of Char: Taking half of the Dominion fleet, Valerian intends to enhance his stature by ending the threat posed by Kerrigan. The initial invasion of Char immediately fell into trouble, however, with an early zerg attack,[203] the scattering of Dominion forces[204] and the near-loss of General Horace Warfield.[205]

Having weakened the zerg forces, Raynor's Raiders made a final stand against Kerrigan. The assembled xel'naga device could be used to attack the zerg, even as it fully charged up for its main purpose: the deinfestation of Kerrigan. The Raiders held their ground long enough to activate the device.[206]

Kerrigan defeated and deinfested

A helpless and human Kerrigan was found by marines led by Raynor. Findlay attempted to kill Kerrigan on Mengsk's orders, but was stopped and shot dead by Raynor.[207][208]

Most of Kerrigan's forces had yet to return to Char on their leviathans and died fighting each other in the void. Many of Kerrigan's brood mothers, sensing her weakness, moved their broods throughout the Koprulu Sector.[209]

Raynor and the partially deinfested Kerrigan flee the planet with the artifact, but have to be picked up by the Bucephalus. The Hyperion and Valerian Mengsk's fleet are confronted by the undamaged half of the Dominion fleet led by Arcturus Mengsk in the White Star. Arcturus demanded Valerian hand over Kerrigan, but Valerian refused, as he had knowledge of the prophecy, and wanted to take Kerrigan to see Emil Narud, a specialist on the zerg. During the ensuing battle, Valerian's fleet is damaged further but manages to escape. However, Arcturus's fleet is able to pursue because it had planted trackers on the Bucephalus. The fleet skirmishes reduces the refugees to just the Hyperion and the Bucephalus.[211]

Raynor suggests hiding out at Dead Man's Rock, under the protection of Mira Han. They hide their ships in a junkyard there, and Dr. Narud joins them there. While there, Kerrigan's health worsens, both physically and mentally. She tried to remove her "hair". Her powers began to return, warning her of an ambush planned by Gary Crane (one of Han's men). Raynor, Valerian, Horner, Kerrigan and Narud escape, but Horner is injured. Han takes revenge by attacking Crane. As the group leaves Dead Man's Rock, Kerrigan makes it clear she does not trust Narud or his scientists.[211]

The rebel ships travel to the Kirkegaard Belt, home of the secret Moebius Foundation station, Space Station Prometheus. As the ships slowly traversed the dangerous belt, with assistance from repair teams sent by Narud, Valerian, Raynor, Kerrigan and Egon Stetmann traveled ahead there. Stetmann talks with Dr. Chantal de Vries while Kerrigan undergoes preliminary tests. Narud invited Raynor and Valerian to dinner, but it turned into an ambush. He and Arcturus Mengsk were in contact. During the skirmish, Narud cloaked and fled. The two rebel battlecruisers could not help due to sabotage from the "repair" teams, and had to first reverse the sabotage, a task made more difficult because the Dominion fleet had shown up and was attacking.[211]

Raynor intended to rescue Kerrigan and Stetmann before leaving. Kerrigan broke out of her lab and rescued Stetmann. During Raynor's flight, he was attacked by Narud's marines as well as a pair of hybrids that Narud had kept stored. Mengsk contacted the station, telling Raynor and Valerian to surrender. He'd let them live, as long as Kerrigan died. Kerrigan flew into a rage at hearing Mengsk's voice. She used her powers to destroy the hybrids, terrifying Stetmann. The reunited Raiders (plus Valerian) tried to stop Narud from escaping with the artifact, but he got away. During the battle, Kerrigan killed numerous marines but wasn't dominating another hybrid when the Fanfare, a newly-armed Raiders dropship, arrived to rescue them. During the battle, Kerrigan's powers killed one of the Raiders.[211]

The Raiders were worried about Kerrigan. Valerian offered a top-secret Umojan Protectorate orbital platform, where the battlecruisers could finally be repaired, as well as treatment for Kerrigan. Kerrigan swore revenge on Arcturus Mengsk.[211] The rebels reached the platform in late 2504.[212]

Rendezvous: Kerrigan lands on Phaethon, hoping to meet Raynor there. She notes a Dominion base which could destroy Raynor's ship as he escapes. She joins forces with BroodmotherNaktul and her brood, who are happy to have the Queen of Blades returned to them. Kerrigan isn't pleased, but uses them to destroy the Dominion force.[220] As Kerrigan plans to leave the zerg behind, she sees a Universal News Network announcement that Raynor had been captured and executed by the Dominion. In a rage, she rejoins the zerg.[221]

Domination: Kerrigan returned to Char in order to collect the Zagara Brood. She engaged in a race with Broodmother Zagara, who defied her, to collect the feralbaneling eggs. Kerrigan came out on top and forced Zagara to submit to her.[225]

Fire in the Sky: Kerrigan then moved against Warfield and his forces. In order to reach his base at Dauntless Plateau, the zerg needed to move through the Bone Trench. Zagara's previous attack had failed because Warfield used Gorgonbattlecruisers to annihilate her attacking forces. Kerrigan decided to take advantage of scourge nests in the area, which could produce enough scourges to take out a battlecruiser before running out of vital energy. Warfield launched seven Gorgon battlecruisers, but all were defeated by the zerg. Warfield called for a retreat.[226]

Old Soldiers: Kerrigan followed up the victory by destroying Warfield's base.[227] An injured Warfield asked for Kerrigan to let his wounded escape. Kerrigan agreed to this after his death.[228]

Plot branch ends here

The primal Zerg on Zerus

Zeratul slipped aboard Kerrigan's leviathan and confronted her there. They had a brief battle, with Kerrigan seeming to have the upper hand, until Zeratul implanted a psychic vision in her. It showed his previous trip to Zerus, still home to the primal zerg.[229] He admitted that he was steering Kerrigan there for his own purposes, but she resolved to go in order to increase her personal power, which would let her take down Mengsk.[230]

Primal pack leader Zurvan

Waking the Ancient: Kerrigan took her leviathan to Zerus. There she encountered the primal zerg. She decided to awaken Zurvan, the Ancient One, who had witnessed the creation of the Overmind, but was opposed by Brakk, a pack leader who despised her "broken" zerg. Kerrigan's forces awoke Zurvan and slew Brakk, however.[231] While speaking to Zurvan, she learned about Amon, the fallen xel'naga, and his manipulations of the Overmind.[232][233]

The Crucible: Following Zurvan's instructions, Kerrigan decided to become a primal zerg. She would travel to the first spawning pool and absorb its energies. While in her cocoon, the remnants of Brakk's Pack attacked, along with Yagdra and his pack. During the three-way battle, Brakk's Pack was wiped out and Yagdra's defeated.[234] Kerrigan awoke as the Primal Queen of Blades.[235]

Primal pack leader Dehaka

Supreme: Kerrigan then moved to unify all the primal zerg under her rule. She struck an alliance with Dehaka[230] and moved against Yagdra, Kraith and Slivan. She defeated all three and collected her essence. Then Zurvan turned against her, saying whichever of them won would collect the other's essence. Kerrigan defeated him too.[236]

Kerrigan received a communication from Mengsk. He declared that Raynor was in fact alive, but would be executed if Kerrigan brought her Swarm anywhere near him.[223]

Plot branch : Kerrigan travels to Skygeirr Station

Kerrigan meeting up with Stukov at Skygeirr

Infested: An infested Alexei Stukov contacted Kerrigan, telling her about a Dominion hybrid program based at Skygeirr Station. Kerrigan ordered her other broods to the location, so they could be nearby.[237] Stukov revealed that he had been tortured here, and Kerrigan was the only person who he believed could help him.[237][238]

Phantoms of the Void: Kerrigan had touched Narud's mind in there. She was able to sense his devotion to Amon, and realized he had been trying to resurrect Amon for "millennia". Stukov believed the endless conflict between the zerg and the protoss was part of a plan to bring Amon back.[241] Stukov believed the xel'naga device's energy was collected by nearby hybrids, and used it to revive Amon.[238][242]

Narud firing the null zone

Kerrigan descended to the lower levels of the lab, but found Tal'darim defending Emil Narud. Kerrigan and Narud. Narud launched a null zone at Kerrigan, and she was forced to block it with her psionic powers. Stukov battled through Tal'Darim and hybrid defenders to deactivate the xel'naga temples empowering Narud. When the last temple was deactivated, Kerrigan forced the null zone back to Narud, injuring him, but not killing him.[243]

Kerrigan confronted Narud, who took the forms of Jim Raynor and her uninfested human form. After a brutal confrontation, Kerrigan slew Narud, who in his last moments told her that Amon has returned, and she would be seeing him soon. Kerrigan fell, injured, but was rescued and rehabilitated by Zagara.[244]

Plot branch ends here

Plot branch : Kerrigan travels to Dominion space

The Hyperion departs to retrieve Orlan

With Friends Like These...: Kerrigan linked up with Raynor's Raiders again. They believed that Colonel Orlan could help them hack the Dominion and discover Raynor's location. Orlan was the prisoner of Mira Han, but she refused to turn him over to anyone but Raynor, despite Raynor's predicament.

Horner and Valerian led the Raiders against her forces. While Valerian concentrated on establishing spaceports that could launch automated fighters and even battlecruisers, Horner took the Hyperion directly against Han. Eventually the battle resolved in Horner's favor. Han handed the prisoner over, who agreed to work for Horner in exchange for not being turned over to Han again.[245]

Arriving at the Moros

Conviction: Orlan's information revealed Raynor's location—the Moros, a prison ship. It randomly jumped through Dominion space, but was vulnerable when it needed resupply. Kerrigan invaded the vessel. During the battle, the ship began falling apart, requiring her leviathan to hold it together. Mengsk had no qualms about sacrificing the ship's crew to stop Kerrigan.[246]

When Kerrigan met Raynor, he was disgusted at her new appearance, and declared that their relationship was over.[247]

Planetfall: As Kerrigan's forces approach Korhal, Mengsk called upon his forces to return to Korhal and defend it.[248][249]

Zerg sacs descending on Korhal

Kerrigan's invasion was confronted by the Korhalian defense network, which destroyed most of her drop pods. Kerrigan herself slipped onto the surface, and, surrounded by Dominion forces, fought to establish safe landing zones for bile launchers. These were used to destroy the defense network.[250]

Death from Above: Kerrigan was challenged by a Dominion superweapon, the Psi Destroyer. The weapon sat on a heavily-guarded platform and generated a field which destroyed the zerg by attacking their hivemind. Kerrigan's alliance with Dehaka proved pivotal in the battle. Dehaka and his primal zerg troops were immune to the weapon due to a lack of a hivemind, and they destroyed the power links which maintained the weapon. While the weapon lay powerless, Kerrigan's own zerg destroyed the Dominion defenses. In the end, Kerrigan's forces and the primal zerg overran the platform and destroyed the Psi Destroyer.[251]

Mengsk defeated

The Reckoning: Valerian persuaded Kerrigan to allow the populace to flee in order to reduce civilian casualties, even though this put Kerrigan at a tactical disadvantage. Kerrigan's troops descended onto Augustgrad. Forces led by Dehaka, Stukov, Zagara tried to support her, but had to contend with the city's gates. In addition, Raynor's Raiders joined Kerrigan's assault, which came as a surprise to Kerrigan. Mengsk responded with elite forces, including the Odin which had previously been abandoned there, some of which tried to destroy Raynor personally. Eventually the zerg prevailed and, destroying a last minute-defense by the Sons of Korhal elite marines, destroyed the palace gates.[252] Kerrigan personally entered the palace and discovered Mengsk. As she attacked, he activated the xel'naga artifact which he had hidden in the room. This crippled Kerrigan. However, Raynor had followed her in, and he attacked Mengsk, destroying the control device. Kerrigan recovered and executed Mengsk. Afterward, she rose into the air to join her own forces. She intended to confront Amon.[253]

Valerian Mengsk ascends as the new emperor of the Terran Dominion, instituting mass reforms on its social and military policies in order to create a more fair government.[254]

Contact is lost with Project Blackstone, who run low on supplies while holding off the crazed Warren Held as he attempted to kill the other researchers. The scientists kill Held and stabilize the situation, and are eventually rescued by Valerian Mengsk.[212]

Tensions rose on Shakuras when a squad of phoenixes collided with Nerazim civilian transports, killing twenty-seven Nerazim. In response, Taelus and a group of Nerazim extremists seized the Citadel to incite conflict between the Khalai and Nerazim, hopeful to drive the Khalai off of Shakuras. Vorazun and Mohandar attempted to dissuade them, but Mohanadar was killed by Taelus. Vorazun killed Taelus before the Khalai arrive, and eased tensions between the two cultures.[257]

Valerian Mengsk began to institute reforms in the Terran Dominion, including the abolishment of resocialization. Officials of the Dominion heralded the beginning of what they called a new enlightened regime.[254]

The Moebius Foundation vanished, with the last transmissions from their based being chaotic and crazed. The security detail of the Moebius Foundation, Moebius Corps, fell under hybrid control and becomes the vanguard of Amon's army.[258]

PraetorTalis took her forces there to rescue the protoss captives. Kerrigan also took her zerg there, and her attacks threatened the protoss.[214]

The Daelaam in action against Moebius Corps

Dark Whispers: Zeratul sought the third piece of the xel'naga prophecy. He knew it could be found on the world where Amon was reborn, but didn't know which one. He theorized that because Samir Duran, aka Emil Narud, knew the answer, the information might be found in Moebius Foundation computers. When he arrived Talis asked for and accepted his help. Evading the zerg, they fought hybrid and rescued the captives. Zeratul discerned the location of Amon's resurrection—Atrias.[214]

Ghosts in the Fog:Zeratul firmly believed the Temple of Erris on Atrias would hold their last hope. When they arrived there, Ma'lash entered the temple and ordered it sealed. Zeratul and Talis's forces braved the hostile world, defeating the Tal'darim and breaching the temple.[259]

Zeratul fighting the Tal'darim

Evil Awoken: Zeratul and a small force of stalkers entered the temple, while Talis's forces held off attackers, including hybrid. Ma'lash used a Void catalyst to communicate with Amon, complaining that the Moebius Foundation had led Zeratul to them. Amon told him not to worry, and to lead the Tal'darim to war. Zeratul believed destroying the conduit would delay any Tal'darim attack on the protoss.[260]

Zeratul's infiltration force damaged the catalyst, at which point Tassadar appeared within it. Tassadar told Zeratul that "the Keystone shall usher you unto hope". Zeratul believed this meant that Artanis would be able to reunify the protoss. Immediately afterward Amon himself appeared in the conduit, killing many of Zeratul's troops and summoning hybrid and shadows of the void to attack them. Amon also began destroying the temple. Zeratul was able to escape, but only because Talis sacrificed herself and her forces to hold off the Tal'darim/hybrid assault.[260]

For Aiur!: Hierarch Artanis prepared the Golden Armada to reclaim Aiur from the feral zerg on the planet. He was warned by Zeratul to stop the invasion as Amon has returned, but initiates the invasion regardless. The Daelaam reclaimed the warp conduits on the planet, but hybrid appear to engage them at the last conduit. This troubled Artanis, who now sought Zeratul's council.[264]

Zeratul finds the Void Seeker destroyed

The Growing Shadow: Zeratul attempted to leave Aiur to retrieve the Keystone from Korhal, but found his ship destroyed. He moved to a nearby base, but Selendis reported she could not sense Artanis in the Khala. Zeratul fought through zerg and crazed templar to reach his base, and found that Amon had corrupted the Khala, controlling all Khalai with their nerve cords intact.[265]

Zeratul fought his way to Artanis, and fought to sever his nerve cord. He is successful, but not before the Amon-controlled Artanis slays him. In his last moments, Zeratul tells Artanis the Keystone will usher them unto hope.[265]

At the Khor-shakal ruins

The Spear of Adun: Artanis rallied what freed Khalai and Nerazim he could, and pushed to escape on the arkshipSpear of Adun. However, a corrupted Selendis send corrupted Khalai, zerg and hybrid against them. Artanis and Phase-smithKarax cleared the arkship's power generators of creep, and escaped Aiur. Aboard the ship, Artanis met Grand PreserverRohana, who promised to aid them. Artanis swore he would defeat Amon and avenge their defeat.[266]

Plot branch : Artanis travels to Korhal

Sky Shield under assault

Sky Shield: Artanis traveled to Korhal to retrieve the Keystone, but found it under siege by Moebius Corps, now under the control of Amon. Jim Raynor organized a defense, but was failing, and as Artanis and Raynor talked the Sky Shield orbital platform began plummeting to Korhal. The Daelaam helped clear the falling platform while Raynor's forces repaired the platform, preventing the destruction of Augustgrad below.[267]

Amon's forces assault Augustgrad

Brothers in Arms: While the Daelaam and Dominion were distracted with Sky Shield, Moebius Corps stole the Keystone and prepared to move it off world. The Dominion and Daelaam pushed into Bennet Port, and engaged Moebius Corps and their hybrid masters. The hybrid attempted to channel void energy into the Keystone, stunning all terrans on the field, but even despite the setback the hybrids were defeated, and Amon's forces were pushed off world.[268]

Raynor and Artanis part ways in the aftermath

Artanis and Raynor overaw the ruins of the city, while Valerian Mengsk and Matt Horner helped the injuried and buried the dead. Raynor tells Artanis to finish the fight, and that if Zeratul believed in him the fight was far from over.[269]

Plot branch ends here

Plot branch : Artanis travels to Shakuras

Amon's forces on Shakuras

Amon's Reach: Artanis arrived on Shakuras, only to find it had been overrun by Amon Brood after he reactivated the warp gate connecting Aiur to Shakuras. Artanis pushed through zerg and void thrashers to defend the last functional warp conduit in Talematros and clear the launch bays of creep. Artanis was successful, and the remaining Nerazim citizens evacuated the planet.[270]

Last Stand: Unwilling to let her planet be a breeding ground for Amon's broods, Matriarch Vorazun ordered the phase matrix of the planet's xel'naga temple overloaded and the planet destroyed. Artanis prepared the temple while his forces defended it, drawing as many zerg and hybrid to the planet as possible. At the last moment, Artanis warped his forces aboard as the temple began to be breached.[271]

Shakuras is destroyed

Artanis defended the temple's interior from waves of zerg as the final stages of the overload began. The matrix was overloaded, and Artanis warped out as Shakuras was destroyed.[272]

Plot branch ends here

Plot branch : Artanis travels to Glacius

Arriving at Glacius

Forbidden Weapon: Artanis traveled to the Khalai Caste research base on Glacius, where a revived Purifier program was being constructed. However, the base was under siege by First Ascendant Alarak of the Tal'darim, who attempted to destroy the facility. The Daelaam retrieved the Purifier data before the base was destroyed, and found a prototype purifier inside the data container modeled after the former PraetorFenix.[273]

Plot branch ends here

The Daelaam arrive at Ulnar

Temple of Unification: Using the Keystone, Karax found the location of Ulnar, where Artanis hoped to awaken the xel'naga. He traveled to the hidden temple, only to find Moebius Corps and the Tal'darim were already there, and were holding the temple's locks. Artanis pushed back the armies and opened the temple but insisted on going in alone.[274]

The Infinite Cycle: Artanis entered the temple, and found a prophecy foreseeing the events that had come to that point. Then he found Sarah Kerrigan, who was fighting a hybrid. The two combined their power to defeat another hybrid, and cautiously decided to join together in an alliance.[5]

Amon's host body

Fighting through Amon's forces, Artanis discovered that it was Amon who uplifted the protoss, and that the xel'naga did not interfere with their creations. He entered the central chambers of the temple, but found the xel'naga dead, as Amon opened a void portal to trap them. He taunted Artanis, showing that he was forming a host body on Aiur.[5]

Vorazun fighting Alarak

Harbinger of Oblivion: Aboard the Spear of Adun, Alarak confronts Vorazun, stating that Artanis was in danger and that he sought to help him. Alarak lead the Daelaam to Artanis, and aided him in closing the void portal. Alarak offered an alliance with Artanis if he helped him overthrow Ma'lash as highlord.[275]

Plot branch : Artanis travels to Endion

Arrival at Endion

Unsealing the Past: Seeing potential in the Fenix Purifier, Artanis sought to reactivate the ancient Purifiers sealed away above Endion. However, Amon's Brood were on the surface. Artanis fought the zerg on the surface and unlocked the stasis locks keeping Cybros locked in orbit.[276]

Cybros purifies Endion of the zerg

Purification: The Daelaam moved on Cybros to prevent its destruction by Amon's zerg and hybrid, and reactivated the Purifiers on the platform. They purged their platform, then purified Endion of all zerg. Though tentative due to the past crimes of the Conclave, they agreed to aid Artanis against Amon.[277]

Plot branch ends here

Plot branch : Artanis travels to Slayn

The Tal'darim homeworld of Slayn

Steps of the Rite: Artanis traveled to Slayn in an attempt to overthrow Ma'lash and take the Tal'darim out of the warp. Alarak informed him that Ma'lash's Guardians had to be slain before the rite of Rak'Shir could begin. The Daelaam slew Ma'lash's guardians, fighting through void entities to do so. After the guardians were slain (which Alarak revealed was unnecessary but aided him), Alarak challenged Ma'lash to Rak'Shir.[278]

Alarak vs Ma'lash in Rak'shir

Rak'Shir: Alarak and Ma'lash fought in Rak'Shir, channeling energy from their allies. The Daelaam fought through the Tal'darim and hybrid that aided Ma'lash, allowing Alarak to slay his rival and claim the Tal'darim. He told his people that Amon had betrayed them, and that they now would fight against Amon. Aboard the Spear of Adun, Alarak agreed to a further alliance with the Daelaam.[279]

Plot branch ends here

Plot branch : Artanis travels to Revanscar

The assault on Revanscar

Templar's Charge: The Daelaam attempted to destroy the primary Moebius Corps and hybrid breeding lab on Revanscar. However, the arkship was ambushed by Moebius Corps and boarded, forcing Artanis and his warriors to defend the ship while Karax organized the assault. Using the fleet, Karax destroyed the generators stabilizing the Revanscar facility, allowing the Spear of Adun to bombard it and end both Moebius Corps and the hybrid as a threat.[280]

In the aftermath, Artanis declares that Karax has proven himself to be a true templar, and that the age of the caste system was over.[280]

Plot branch ends here

The return to Aiur

Templar's Return: Artanis returns to Aiur with the Tal'darim and Purifiers aiding him. However, he had to disable the psionic matrix on Aiur to delay the arrival of the corrupted Golden Armada to defend Amon's host form. The various commanders divided and destroyed the three primary crystals powering the matrix, giving them time to engage Amon's host form directly.[281]

Amon's host is destroyed

The Host: Artanis and the combined Daelaam fought their way to Amon's host form, destroying the void shards defending him. After the shards were destroyed, Amon awakened and attempted to destroy the Daelaam's main base, but a combined orbital bombardment from the Daelaam fleet annihilated Amon's host body.[281]

The Keystone deployed on Aiur

Salvation: With Amon's host destroyed, he now only resided in the Khala. The Daelaam set up the Keystone to pull him from the Khala, but the Golden Armada arrived, the combined Daelaam defended the Keystone, slaying even their own corrupted brothers to defend it. The defense was successful, and Amon was pulled from the Khala long enough for the Khalai to sever their nerve cords. This ended the Khala, and with nowhere to reside after he broke free from the Keystone, Amon was forced back into the Void.[282]

Artanis looked over a free and reconstructing Aiur, thanking Zeratul for the victory he had won them. He swore that he would rebuild the protoss empire, better then before. Shortly after, Karax received a transmission originating from Ulnar, from Kerrigan.[283]

Kerrigan met with Artanis, Raynor and Selendis, stating that she felt a malevolent presence in the Void calling to her, and that they had to defeat Amon once and for all as he was still alive in the Void. The three agreed, and marshaled their forces and moved through the Ulnar void portal.[284]

Narud's true form

Into the Void: The allied forces began coming under attack by void entities, but Kerrigan felt the malevolent voice calling to her. Artanis cleared the landing site, and discovered it was the voice of what seemed to be Tassadar, imprisoned by Emil Narud. The three forces fought through to Narud, with Stukov delivering the final blow. The spirit revealed it was not, in fact, Tassadar, but the xel'naga Ouros, who wanted to have Kerrigan ascend to xel'naga and complete another rotation of the Infinite Cycle.[285]

The Essence of Eternity: Kerrigan begins to channel the essence of Ouros, but Amon's void entities assault her position. Jim Raynor organized a defense with Zagara and Artanis, and Kerrigan channeled all of her power. Kerrigan put Zagara in charge of her swarm as she transformed into a xel'naga, and then moved to finally defeat Amon.[286]

Amon's final stand

Amon's Fall: Kerrigan and part of her swarm faced Amon, and was joined by Artanis and Raynor's forces. They destroyed the void crystals shielding him, and Kerrigan delivered the final blow, ending Amon as a threat to the universe.[8]

Jim Raynor sat in Joeyray's Bar on Mar Sara, and reflected on his past. A figure that had the appearance of a human Kerrigan asked if he was ready to go, and he left the bar with her. He was never seen again.[287]

The Dominion's golden age

The Terran Dominion entered a golden age of peace under Valerian Mengsk and Matt Horner, and celebrated the third year of Valerian's regime. Peace talks began between the Dominion and Daelaam.[287]

With new freedoms of speech, groups appeared critical of Valerian Mengsk's regime and his more peaceful reforms. One group to form from this was the Defenders of Man.[291]

Antiga Prime and Bountiful come under attack by the zerg, with the Dominion slow to respond. The Defenders of Man arrived to defend the colonies from these attacks.[291]

The footage of Nova is leaked

Terran Dominion ghosts began to vanish from service. Radio Liberty attempted an investigation, but their offices were raided by masked attackers. Listeners of the radio meet with Michael Liberty, who pointed them in the direction of a secure Defenders of Man database. In there the listeners found files of the missing ghosts as well as footage showing Agent Nova Terra killing Dominion undercover agents. This footage was given to Matt Horner, and leaked to Universal News Network.[292]

Nova awakens

Nova Terra awakens in a Defenders of Man installation, having had her memory wiped. She escapes and evades capture, linking up with Admiral Matt Horner on Borea.[293] The planet is overrun by feral zerg, but the Defenders of Man assault the zerg position, and the Dominion escape in the chaos.[294]

Nova is given command of the Griffin

Nova, given a Covert Ops Crew, investigates a Defenders of Man base on Tarsonis, and discovers their plan to use psi emitters to lure feral zerg to Tyrador IX to weaken the reign of Valerian Mengsk.[295]

The Death Fleet fire on the zerg from orbit

The Defenders of Man release psi emitters on Tyrador IX, causing massive civilian casualties. Nova and her forces arrive but too late. The Defenders of Man fleet arrives and begins evacuating civilians, and Nova's forces begin assaulting hive clusters when the Tal'darim fleet arrives under Ji'nara, stating that they seek to destroy the Defenders of Man. Nova defeats the Tal'darim to save the civilians they were protecting.[296]

Alarak strikes a bargain with Nova

Nova meets with HighlordAlarak, who makes a bargaining with her; he will help her find terrazine to undo the mindwipe the Defenders of Man put on her and she will lead him to them. She agrees, and Alarak takes her to Jarban Minor, a Umojan Protectorate colony overrun by the zerg. Nova mines the terrazine from the native Jarban gliders and wards away the infested.[297]

Nova returns to Antiga Prime

Now able to undo her mind wipes, Nova's memories lead her to Antiga Prime. There she fights the zerg there and discovers that she planted the psi emitters on the planet, being tricked into believing they were anti-zerg devices. She attempted to warn the Dominion but is captured and mind wiped. Before her mind wipe, Nova was able to make out the face of Dominion general Carolina Davis leading the Defenders of Man.[298]

Nova relays this information to Valerian Mengsk, who tells her to step down and follow the plan he has in place. Valerian contacts Davis and announces that he wishes to stop down as Emperor of the Terran Dominion.[299]

2512:[300]OverqueenZagara revitalizes the planet of Gystt using adostra, but Daelaam forces blockade the planet. Overqueen Zagara calls Emperor Valerian Mengsk to the planet to discuss how these new breeds could be use to benefit all factions of the sector.[301]

Due to the machinations of Abathur, the One-Day War breaks out against the chitha and the broods they control. The Daelaam and Dominion stabilize the situation before conflict escalates, and Abathur is captured. In the wake of the conflict, peace talks begin between the Daelaam, Dominion and Zerg Swarm.[301]

↑Narrative: The Confederacy, fearing that the alienfleet's next target will be the colony of Mar Sara, has sent you to intervene. Acting as Magistrate, you are to safeguard the colonists and keep their state of panic from escalating any further. StarCraft. Vivendi Games. Rebel Yell Intro (in English). 1998.

↑Tassadar: "As you know, the Zerg vanished after the fall of the Terran world of Tarsonis, and though the Conclave bid me return home, I was compelled to remain. A powerful psionic call drew my attention to a remote, barren world named Char. Apparently, the call was answered by others as well. For upon Char, I encountered those who were once our brethren - the Dark Templar." StarCraft. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Into the Flames (in English). 1998.

↑Fenix: "Executor, I bring news most dire. The Cerebrate that we thought we had killed has arisen again. The creature's battered form was reincarnated, despite the considerable damage we inflicted upon it. Even now, the Cerebrate drives its Brood in preparation for their next offensive." StarCraft. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Into the Flames (in English). 1998.

↑Tassadar: "Fenix? It can't be! The Executor told me of how you fell before the Zerg. How is it that you live and breathe?"Fenix: "Ha hah... Well, after my unfortunate defeat, my ruined body was recovered by our brethren. I now reside within the cold, robotic shell of a Dragoon."Tassadar: "Old friend-would that this never came to pass..."Fenix: "Nonsense! There is no shame in defeat so long as the spirit is unconquered, and I am still able to serve Aiur to a degree." StarCraft. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Homeland (in English). 1998.

↑Tassadar: "Executor! Aldaris! This madness must stop! The sight of my brethren slaughtering one another is more than I can stand. Though I fear you would doom us all, Aldaris, I surrender myself to the Conclave. En Taro Adun, Executor. Don't give up the fight!"Aldaris: "Tassadar of the Templar, by your actions you have severed yourself from the mercy of your brethren. You refused to destroy the Terran worlds as was commanded. You have questioned time and time again, the sacred will of the Conclave. And you have abandoned your Homeworld in its darkest hour. Most grievous of all is that you have allied yourself with the blasphemous Dark Ones, and learned to utilize their profane powers in tandem with our own! What say you, oh fallen Templar?"Tassadar: "Aldaris, I submit myself to the Conclave's judgment. But know this, given the same choices again, I would surely have made them. I have sacrificed all that our world might live. I have sullied my honor, I have discarded my rank and standing, and I have even broken our own most ancient traditions. But never think that I would, for one moment, regret my actions. For I am Templar, and above all else, I have sworn to Protect our Homeworld 'till the end." StarCraft. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Homeland (in English). 1998.

↑Fenix: "Zeratul and his Dark Templar have vanished, leaving us to fend for ourselves. I wonder if Tassadar was mistaken to have put his trust in them." StarCraft. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Trial of Tassadar (in English). 1998.

↑Kerrigan: "Apparently, many of the renegade Cerebrates, commanded by Daggoth, have merged into a new Overmind. Fortunately, the creature is still in its infant stages. It can't control the Swarm yet, but Daggoth and the others still have control over most of the Broods. The two Cerebrates you killed here were part of Daggoth's forces."

"Look, I don't need to tell you all what might happen if that thing reaches maturity. I can guarantee you that should it awaken, it'll take full control of me just like it did before. I don't want that to happen, and I'm pretty sure you don't want it to happen either." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Quest for Uraj (in English). 1998.

↑Raynor: "Executor, my crew and I will remain here on Aiur and shut the gate down on this side. It's the only way to make sure that the Zerg won't send more reinforcements to Shakuras."Artanis: "You will be hopelessly outnumbered, and once the gate is shut down there will be no one to save you should you be overrun."Raynor: "Yeah, well... I'm a man of action. What can I say?"Fenix: "I shall remain with Raynor as well, Executor. My duty is to Aiur, after all."Artanis: "Farewell then, brave warriors. We will send through all the troops we can spare." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Dunes of Shakuras (in English). 1998.

↑Raszagal: "Congratulations, Executor. Your success has brought us the promise of hope against the Zerg. However, we face a new threat within our own ranks. In your absence, Judicator Aldaris and an entire legion of Khalai survivors from Aiur have begun an open revolt against us."Zeratul: "By the gods, this is ill news indeed! Why would Aldaris betray us so?"Raszagal: "He and his ilk believe that it was wrong to have abandoned Aiur and consorted with our people. Their prejudices have driven them to perpetuate the Conclave's sins against us! Even now, Aldaris and his loyalist templar forces are preparing to attack our Citadel."Artanis: "I can scarcely believe this. As if the Zerg were not enough! Matriarch, are you certain of this?"Raszagal: "All too certain, young templar. Executor, as Matriarch of the Dark Templar and custodian of this world, I hereby order you to terminate Judicator Aldaris, and quell this untimely uprising without delay! There will be no dissent among us while the Zerg are poised to strike!" StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Insurgent (in English). 1998.

↑Aldaris: "You can no longer afford to be so naive, Artanis. While you were securing the crystals, I discovered that your Matriarch has been harboring a dark secret! She has been manipulated by de-"Kerrigan: "We have no time for this!"Zeratul: "Kerrigan... What have you done?"Kerrigan: "I just cleaned up your mess, Protoss. Don't be so squeamish."Zeratul: "Wretched creature! This was a Protoss matter; you had no right to interfere! Begone from this world! You are no longer welcome among us!"Kerrigan: "Fine. I've done what I came here to do. I've insured the destruction of the renegade Cerebrates, and I used you to do it. Have fun, mighty Protoss... We'll be seeing each other again, real soon..." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Insurgent (in English). 1998.

↑Samir Duran: "Captain, I am Lieutenant Samir Duran of the Confederate Resistance Forces. I've been monitoring your attack against the Dominion, and I'd like to offer you my services and skills in return for amnesty."Alexei Stukov: "Intriguing. Lieutenant, you have absolutely no idea as to who we are or what we have come here to do. Why do you wish to side with us?"Duran: "Because my men and I have sworn to fight against the Dominion and its Emperor. Seeing as how your forces have been laying into this Dominion base, I figured we were on the same side."Stukov: "I see. How exactly do you propose to be of service to us, Lieutenant?"Duran: "Well, I possess intimate knowledge of the surrounding area. I can show you an alternate route that leads to the rear of the main Dominion base."Stukov: "Very well, Lieutenant. Consider yourself and your men the first colonial conscripts of the United Earth Directorate. Captain, see that the Lieutenant is given our full cooperation. We shall see if he's worth the effort." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: First Strike (in English). 1998.

↑Duran: "I must humbly suggest to you, Admiral, that the Disrupter be destroyed as quickly as possible. If it should fall into the hands of the Dominion we could face some very serious problems."Gerard DuGalle: "Hmm. A prudent call, Lieutenant. I am inclined to agree."Stukov: "But Admiral, this device could insure our victory over the Zerg! It is foolhardy to discard such an advantage!"Duran: "Surely, Vice Admiral, you don't doubt the tenacity of your own fleet? Your Directorate forces will devastate the zerg without the need for such a device."Stukov: "Listen here, Lieutenant, I've had just about enough of your-"DuGalle: "This conversation is over, Alexei. Given the true nature of our mission to enslave the Overmind, we could hardly stand to have Mengsk control a device of this magnitude. This Psi Disrupter must be destroyed in order to safeguard our mission. Ensign, set your course for Tarsonis." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Ruins of Tarsonis (in English). 1998.

↑Adjutant: "Vice Admiral Stukov took control of a large contingent of troops and came here to the planet Braxis."DuGalle: "Why would he abandon the battle on Aiur?"

"Why has he come back to Braxis?"Duran: "I mean no offense, Admiral. But perhaps Stukov's loyalties are not as strong as you once believed."DuGalle: "Because you are young and foolish, Lieutenant, I will pardon that insult. Alexei and I have been friends since long before you were born. However, he must be found. If Stukov is here, he will account for his actions."Adjutant: "Admiral, our sensors have detected a fully functional Psi Disrupter on the planet's surface directly below our position. It would appear that the Vice Admiral did not destroy the Psi Disrupter on Tarsonis as was ordered."DuGalle: "What? Impossible!"SDuran: "I warned you Admiral! Stukov has betrayed you! He's reconstructed the Psi Disrupter in order to sabotage your mission in this sector!"DuGalle: "I can't believe it. Yet the evidence is incontrovertible. Alexei, what have you done?"

↑Duran: "Vice Admiral Stukov, I am here under orders to terminate your command."Stukov: "Lieutenant Duran. I'm not surprised. We both know exactly what it is that you're here to terminate. Get on with it."Duran: "Say goodnight, Stukov."Stukov: "To hell with y- !"DuGalle: "Lieutenant Duran, report your situation immediately!"Stukov: "Gerard... old friend. You do indeed have a traitor in your midst... but it's not me. Duran. He has been playing us both from the start... He convinced you to destroy the Psi Disrupter... even though it was our best chance at defeating the Zerg. And then, on Aiur, ...he allowed the Zerg to overrun us even as we had the fugitives in our grasp. I came here... to activate the one hope we have of defeating them... And you killed me for it. Heh, heh... Duran is your enemy Gerard. I suspect... that he may even be infested as well... Use the Disrupter, Gerard... Finish our operation... Let my death have at least some meaning."DuGalle: "Alexei! No! What have I done? What have I done? Computer, where the hell is Lieutenant Duran?"Adjutant: "The Lieutenant no longer registers on my sensors, Admiral. He appears to have vanished."DuGalle: "No." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Patriot's Blood (in English). 1998.

↑Raynor: "I'll see you dead for this, Kerrigan. For Fenix and all the others who got caught between you and your mad quest for power!"Kerrigan: "Tough talk, Jimmy. But I don't think you have what it takes to be a killer."Raynor: "It may not be tomorrow, darlin'. It may not even happen with an army at my back. But rest assured: I'm the man who's going to kill you some day. I'll be seein' you." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: True Colors (in English). 1998.

↑Kerrigan: "It is done, Cerebrate. They've all been destroyed. Let us return to Tarsonis to rest. For the first time since my transfiguration I am wearied of the slaughter." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Mission: True Colors (in English). 1998.

↑Duran: "My Queen, we have located a small Terran facility towards the rear of the Renegades' landing zone. There appears to be a number of UED scientists working within the compound, but we are unable to determine the purpose of their presence..."Kerrigan: "I know what they're up to. I suspected that the UED's control of the Overmind was tenuous. Tarsonis is too remote for them to maintain direct control over the Swarms, so they've sent these 'scientists' to coordinate their attack."Duran: "Cerebrate, focus your attacks against the Terran facility. All of the UED scientists must be killed. Only then will we be able to finish off these Renegade Zerg." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Fury of the Swarm (in English). 1998.

↑Zeratul: "Kerrigan, this is Zeratul. I demand to know why you've taken our Matriarch."Kerrigan: "Actually, Zeratul, she's not the one I'm truly interested in. I stole her to get to you. You see, I need you and your brethren to kill the Overmind for me. The only way I had of assuring your cooperation was to take away that which you value most. However, I give you my word that once you've killed the Overmind, I'll allow her to return to you."Zeratul: "As if your word held any value..."Raszagal: "Zeratul, my faithful servant. You must aid Kerrigan in this endeavor. The Overmind is our common enemy. It must be destroyed to insure that our people will survive!"Zeratul: "You ask me to aid this vile creature?"Raszagal: "I do not ask this for myself. Nor do I ask it on Kerrigan's behalf. I ask you to do this for our people, Zeratul. Obey me as you always have... Trust in my judgement."Zeratul: "Very well, Matriarch. The Overmind will die this day." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: To Slay the Beast (in English). 1998.

↑Duran: "My Queen, with the Overmind and its Cerebrates destroyed, all of the Zerg in this sector have reverted to your direct control." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Reckoning (in English). 1998.

↑Zeratul: "It's done, Kerrigan. The Overmind is dead as you wished. Now I demand that you release the Matriarch at once!"Kerrigan: "Of course. Raszagal, do you wish to return to your tribe?"Raszagal: "No, my Queen. I wish only to serve you and remain at your side."Zeratul: "What treachery is this, Kerrigan? This pathetic creature cannot possibly be Raszagal!"Kerrigan: "Ha ha ha. I promised that I'd allow her to return to you, Zeratul. But it looks to me like she doesn't want to go."Zeratul: "You have corrupted her! Somehow you have poisoned her thoughts. Restore her to her rightful self, or you will pay dearly for this offense, Kerrigan!"Kerrigan: "All right, Zeratul, you've got me. I made your Matriarch my slave long before I joined you on Shakuras. She made the mistake of underestimating my power just like everyone else did." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: To Slay the Beast (in English). 1998.

↑Zeratul: "Damn you, Kerrigan, for what I must do!"Raszagal: "Thank you, Zeratul... You have freed me from her vile control at last. You have always served me with honor... Thus I must ask you... to watch over my tribe... Into your hands I give the future."Kerrigan: "I can hardly believe this! You've killed your own Matriarch!"Zeratul: "Better that I killed her, than let her live as your slave, Kerrigan." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: The Reckoning (in English). 1998.

↑Mengsk: "I called in a few favors. Made a few concessions. You'd be surprised to see how many special interest groups in this sector want to see you dead." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Omega (in English). 1998

↑DuGalle: "Kerrigan, I am prepared to offer terms of surrender. It is my wish that you allow my men to live-"Kerrigan: "You're not in a position to offer me anything, Admiral. And I don't take prisoners. I'll tell you what... Turn your remaining ships around and start heading back towards the Earth. I'll let you have a head start, before I send the Swarms after you. It'll be interesting sport to see how far you get before you die." StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Omega (in English). 1998.

↑And alone, floating on a dark platform above the burnt-out planet of Char, Sarah Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades, sat and lorded over the ravenous Swarms. Unable to shake the feeling that a great threat loomed just over the horizon, Kerrigan could only stare off into the vastness of space where she beheld a great void. Or perhaps a reflection of a hollow victory and of the trials yet to come... StarCraft: Brood War. Vivendi Games. Level/area: Epilogue (in English). 1998.

↑Time calculation derived from Sarah Kerrigan's age at the time of the incident in the listed sources. Kerrigan's age is given as twenty-six in the StarCraft manual. StarCraft started in 2499 according to numerous sources.

↑This incident took place five years before StarCraft: Uprising, which took place in 2491 according to the Heaven's Devils timeline.

↑Heaven's Devils starts in 2488, according to the timeline and various date references scattered through the book. One event in the book, Jim Raynor's capture at KIC-36, was specified as taking place in 2488 in StarCraft: Issue 6.

↑StarCraft: Issue 6 specifically identifies this event as taking place in 2488. Various pieces of information from Heaven's Devils places the invasion in November or December 2488. For instance, Universal News Network reporter Max Speer didn't become an embedded reporter until at least November 2488, and he was present as an embedded reporter at the battle. Clair Hobarth gave an interview about the battle in January 2489.

↑Lisa Cassidy and Connor Ward both gave interviews in March 2489, and they both died in this battle. According to the Heaven's Devils timeline, this battle must have been fought in either 2488 or 2489.

↑The battlecruiser crashed one year before the events of Uprising, which took place in 2491, according to the Heaven's Devils timeline.